ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani clerical panel has endorsed polygamy, saying a woman cannot object if her husband remarries.

The body that advices the government on religious affairs has long been condemned for its retrograde and misogynist outlook.

"A woman cannot demand a divorce over a second, third or fourth marriage of her husband. Islam has given a woman right to separate from her husband, but another marriage could not be a valid ground for doing so," local media reported Islamic Council of Ideology (CII) chairman Shah Ahmed Sheerani as saying.

He observed the Muslim Divorce Act, 1939, was against the Sharia. "We want the government to repeal this section," he said.

Sheerani said a woman could seek separation if she is treated with inequality or cruelty. "A woman can seek divorce if her spouse having more than one wife, does not treat her equitably in accordance with the injunctions of the Holy Quran," he said.

The cleric said the CII had suggested to the government to amend the marriage laws as the Sharia has clearly defined provisions of up to four marriages by a man.

He said "nikah" (marriage contract) of an under aged is justified only if it has the approval of father or grandfather of the girl in good faith and not as part of a ritual. "But rukhsati (marriage) before attaining the age of 18 is not allowed in Islam.''